www.scatteredchristians.org
Another Sermon for the Starving Bible Believing Christians All Over the World Wide Web
2006 - Touchet Baptist Church, Touchet, Washington - Pastor Mike Paulson - 2006
Expounding the way of God more perfectly - Acts 18:26 - with the Scriptures Rightly Divided - II Timothy 2:15

God Works in Mysterious Ways?
Another sermon on Prayer!

I have heard folks say that God works in mysterious ways.

Well, Isaiah 55:8,9 does say...  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

But mysteriously?

No, I don't think so.

Either answered prayer, or not answered prayer... or things happening 'without' prayer... is it mysterious, or is it...
1)  Antichrist is 'fixin' things to keep you from the real Jesus and the real Book and from real joy, etc.
2)  We can quench the Spirit! I Thessalonians 5:19 - Quench not the Spirit.
3)  We are reaping what we sowed - not always 'bad' - but still in the flesh... Galatians 6:8,9 - For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
4)  By not reading the Bible enough, God's working in our lives could 'appear' to be mysterious - after all, Romans 8:24-26  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

...but then it is OUR fault for not knowing what is going on - or if we are seeing prayer answered or the devil manipulating with his devices - or his miracles, signs and wonders, etc.

Fellowship with Christ is what we can have now that they couldn't have in the gospel days.
They were able to LOSE that fellowship - see I John 1:1-10
We can not lose His fellowship, but He can lose ours!

His Ways is the Holy KJ Bible
and the Holy KJ Bible is His Ways!

Fellowship is a two way street - His words to us (KJV) and our to Him (prayer).

If you really want to try to understand His 'answer' - His 'ways', etc. you must be in that Book - reading, rightly dividing so you understand what it is you are reading!


A Sermon on Prayer
- the third one -
And this sermon is NOT to learn how to get the Lord to do things your way!
This is NOT how to make prayer a power in your life!
It is for a pattern to see how to be in fellowship with the Lord FOR OTHERS, not just yourself!

Are you truly concerned about prayer, as some have expressed to me?

Ok, then can you tell me now what the things are that Paul prayed for us?  maybe three of them?   how about one?  Do you at least know the references to those things?
Ephesians 1:16-20
Ephesians 3:14-19
Philippians 1:9-11
Colossians 1:9-11

Anyway, let's take another look at Paul and prayer.


Paul is to be our Pattern for Prayer!
He is to be our pattern:  I Timothy 1:16 - Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Always remember Romans 8:24-26

Paul's Teaching on Prayer

In Every Thing
Philippians 4:6
I Timothy 2:1 - supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks  "SPIGOT" - not "A.C.T.S."
When you want to think of fellowship with the Lord (Revelation 3:20), think of 'SPIGOT!"

Always!  Without Ceasing!
Romans 1:9 - without ceasing
Ephesians 1:16 - cease not ...
Ephesians 6:18* - always
Colossians 1:3 - always
Colossians 1:9 - do not cease to pray
Colossians 4:2* - continue in prayer
I Thessalonians 1:2 - always
II Thessalonians 2:11 - always for you
Philemon 1:4 - always

Making Mention of Folks!
Romans 1:9 - making mention of you
Ephesians 1:16 - making mention of you
Philippians 1:4 - for you all
Colossians 1:3 - praying for you
Ephesians 6:18* - for all saints
I Thessalonians 1:2 - making mention of you
I Timothy 2:1 - for all men
I Timothy 2:8 - everywhere
I Timothy 5:5 - widows, night and day
II Timothy 1:3 - for Timothy - night and day
Philemon 1:4 - making mention of thee


Specifics:
Ephesians 1:16-20 Ephesians 3:14-19 Philippians 1:9-11 Colossians 1:9-11 Your Pastor / teacher!
Romans 15:30
For you and others to be able to be hear for the preaching and teaching to perfect that which is lacking in your faith - even in the home, if willing!
I Thessalonians 3:10
I Thessalonians 5:25
The word of the Lord would have free course, and be glorified
II Thessalonians 3:1

Salvation of others!
Romans 10:1

Give Thanks for folks!
Ephesians 1:16
I Thessalonians 1:2

A door would open to speak Paul's gospel message!
Colossians 4:3

Your Christian walk!
That God would count you worthy of 'this calling', and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness and the work of faith with power!
II Thessalonians 1:11

Food
I Timothy 4:5

Counting on folks truly praying for us...
...that God would get ahold of them through their prayers!
Philemon 22